Published: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 6:01 a.m.

Last Modified: Wednesday, November 14, 2012 at 11:16 p.m.

Alabama signed a center and a forward, while Auburn added three players to the Tigers’ program Wednesday, during the first day of the early college basketball signing period.

Center Jimmie Taylor and forward Shannon Hale are slated to join the Crimson Tide on the court for the 2013-14 season.

“We are very excited to have Jimmie and Shannon sign National Letter of Intent’s with the University of Alabama,” Tide coach Anthony Grant said. “They are both outstanding young men who come from quality families. They also have a passion and excitement level for Alabama and our basketball program.”

Taylor is a four-star recruit and brings an inside presence for Grant’s squad next season.

Taylor helped lead Greensboro High School to back-to-back Class 3A state titles in 2011 and 2012.

Shamsid-Deen, of Decatur, Ga., is ranked as the No. 91 prospect by MaxPreps. He has helped lead Columbia High School to three-straight Class AAA state titles. He chose Auburn over UCLA, UConn, Richmond and Northwestern.

Delph is attending IMG Academy after starting three seasons at Lake Region High. He averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds last season.

Delph chose Auburn over Texas A&M, Cincinnati and Miami.

Griciunas is in his third year attending Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev. He chose Auburn over Georgia Tech, Boston College, St. Mary’s and Washington State.

<p>Alabama signed a center and a forward, while Auburn added three players to the Tigers' program Wednesday, during the first day of the early college basketball signing period.</p><p>Center Jimmie Taylor and forward Shannon Hale are slated to join the Crimson Tide on the court for the 2013-14 season.</p><p>“We are very excited to have Jimmie and Shannon sign National Letter of Intent's with the University of Alabama,” Tide coach Anthony Grant said. “They are both outstanding young men who come from quality families. They also have a passion and excitement level for Alabama and our basketball program.”</p><p>Taylor is a four-star recruit and brings an inside presence for Grant's squad next season.</p><p> Taylor helped lead Greensboro High School to back-to-back Class 3A state titles in 2011 and 2012. </p><p>Last season, the 6-10, 235-pound center averaged 9.6 points and 5.2 rebounds while blocking 97 shots. During his sophomore year, Taylor averaged 10.2 points, 8.1 rebounds and 5.6 blocks a game.</p><p>Taylor's performance in the 2011 state title game was a memorable one, as he collected 15 points, 13 boards and nine blocks in the victory over Clarke County High School.</p><p>Similar to Taylor, Hale, a 6-8, 200-pound power forward from Johnson City, Tenn., is another player who could help in the post next season. </p><p>He is listed as a four-star recruit by rivals.com and is ranked as the No. 19 power forward and the No. 93 overall prospect by the same site. </p><p>In addition, ESPN.com lists Hale as the No. 6 recruit in the state of Tennessee.</p><p>The Auburn Tigers signed two 7-footers and a 5-foot-10 point guard to play next season.</p><p>Auburn coach Tony Barbee's early signees are centers Ronald Delph of Winter Haven, Fla., and Benas Griciunas of Silute, Lithuani, and guard Tahj Shamsid-Deen.</p><p>Shamsid-Deen, of Decatur, Ga., is ranked as the No. 91 prospect by MaxPreps. He has helped lead Columbia High School to three-straight Class AAA state titles. He chose Auburn over UCLA, UConn, Richmond and Northwestern. </p><p>Delph is attending IMG Academy after starting three seasons at Lake Region High. He averaged 10 points and 10 rebounds last season. </p><p>Delph chose Auburn over Texas A&M, Cincinnati and Miami.</p><p>Griciunas is in his third year attending Findlay Prep in Henderson, Nev. He chose Auburn over Georgia Tech, Boston College, St. Mary's and Washington State.</p>